Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispenser includes a body having a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion of the body is substantially dome-shaped. The lower portion of the body has a first density. The upper portion of the body defines an internal volume. The internal volume is configured to receive a composition that has a second density that is less than the first density.

BACKGROUND

Compositions are typically stored in a dispenser. For example,toothpaste may be stored in a tube that is squeezed to eject thetoothpaste therefrom. In another example, a shampoo may be stored in abottle, and the shampoo may be poured out of the bottle. The compositionmay have a tendency to separate into portions of higher and lowerdensities in conventional dispensers. In addition, conventionaldispensers do not appeal to children, and thus, provide no incentive forthe children to use the composition. What is needed is an improveddispenser.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A dispenser includes a body having a lower portion and an upper portion.The lower portion of the body is substantially dome-shaped. The lowerportion of the body has a first density. The upper portion of the bodydefines an internal volume. The internal volume is configured to receivea composition that has a second density that is less than the firstdensity.

In another embodiment, the dispenser includes a body having a lowerportion and an upper portion. The lower portion is substantially conicalwith a cross-sectional width that increases proceeding away from alowermost point. The lower portion, the upper portion, or both define aninternal volume that is configured to receive a composition through anopening in the body.

A method for manufacturing a dispenser is also disclosed. The methodincludes forming a body having an internal volume, forming an inserthaving a width that increases proceeding away from a lowermost point,coupling the insert to a lower portion of the body, and introducing acomposition into the internal volume of the body.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a dispenser, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the dispenser, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser showing a lid in anopen position, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser wobbling, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of another dispenser, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the dispenser of FIG. 5,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 5 spinning,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a dispenser,according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a perspective view and a cross-sectional side view,respectively, of a dispenser 100, according to an embodiment. Thedispenser 100 may include a body 110. The body 110 may be made of apolymer or elastomer. For example, the body 110 may be made of ablow-molded polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”). The body 110 may definean internal volume. A composition 132 may be stored in the internalvolume. The composition 132 may be or include a dentifrice composition(e.g., toothpaste, tooth powder, tooth soap, mouthwash). In otherembodiments, the composition 132 may be or include personal care or homecare compositions such as lotions, soap, shampoo, conditioner, dishdetergent, laundry detergent, fabric softener, surface cleaners, etc.

The body 110 may include a lower portion 120 and an upper portion 130.The lower portion 120 and the upper portion 130 together may besubstantially spheroid or egg-shaped. As shown, the lower portion 120may be substantially dome-shaped (e.g., partially spherical). A centrallongitudinal axis 112 may extend through the body 110. When across-section is taken through the lower portion 120 and/or the upperportion 130 of the body 110 in a plane that is perpendicular to thecentral longitudinal axis 112, the cross-sectional shape of the body 110may be substantially circular at any height along the centrallongitudinal axis 112. The central longitudinal axis 112 may intersectthe lower portion 120 at a lowermost point 122. A width 124 of the lowerportion 120 may increase proceeding upward from the lowermost point 122.

The lower portion 120 of the body 110 may contain or include a materialhaving a first density or weight. The material may be a liquid, a gel,or a solid. In one embodiment, the material may be positioned within aninternal volume of the body 110. In another embodiment, the material maybe part of an insert 126 that is a separate component that is coupled tothe body 110. For example, the insert 126 may screw or snap onto thelower portion 120 and/or the upper portion 130 of the body 110. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the insert 126 may have thedome-shaped outer surface.

The upper portion 130 of the body 110 may be at least partially filledwith the composition 132, and the upper portion 130 of the body 110and/or the composition 132 has/have a second density or weight. Thefirst density or weight may be greater than the second density orweight. For example, the first density or weight may be from about 110%to about 150%, from about 150% to about 200%, from about 200% to about400%, from about 400% to about 600%, from about 600% to about 800%, orfrom about 800% to about 1000% of the second density or weight. In onespecific embodiment, the first density is about 300% of the seconddensity.

The outer surface of the lower portion 120 and/or the upper portion 130may have a convex contour. As shown, in at least one embodiment, thebody 110 may also include a neck 140 that extends upward from the upperportion 130 when the body 110 is positioned on a horizontal surface. Theneck 140 may be shaped substantially like a hyperboloid, as shown, wherethe outer surface of the neck 140 may have a concave contour. The neck140 may define an opening (shown in FIG. 2) through which thecomposition 132 may be introduced into the internal volume of the body110 or be dispensed from the internal volume of the body 110.

A lid 150 may be coupled to the body 110 (e.g., on the neck 140)proximate to the opening. In one embodiment, the outer surface of theneck 140 proximate to the opening may have a plurality of threads formedthereon that may engage a corresponding plurality of threads on theinner surface of the lid 150. In another embodiment, the outer surfaceof the neck 140 proximate to the opening may have one or moreprotrusions that be configured to be received within one or morecorresponding recesses on the inner surface of the lid 150. In thisembodiment, the lid 150 may “snap onto” the neck 140 in response to apredetermined downward force on the lid 150.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser 100 showing the lid150 in an open position, according to an embodiment. The lid 150 mayinclude a base 152 and a cap 154, which is shown in the open position inFIG. 3. The cap 154 is shown in a closed position in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thebase 152 of the lid 150 may be coupled to the body 110 of the dispenser100. The base 152 may have an opening (e.g., a nozzle) 156 formedtherethrough. The central longitudinal axis 112 may extend through theopening 156, or it may be offset from the central longitudinal axis 112.

The cap 154 may be coupled to the base 152 by one or more hinges. Inanother embodiment, the cap 154 may screw or snap onto the base 152. Thecap 154 may prevent the composition 132 from flowing through the opening156 when the cap 154 is in the closed position. The cap 154 may pivot orrotate about the hinge(s) into an open position, as shown in FIG. 3. Thecomposition 132 may flow through the opening 156 when the cap 154 is inthe open position, for example, to be applied into a user's mouth oronto a user's toothbrush.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser 100 wobbling,according to an embodiment. Due to the shape of the body 110 and thedifference in densities between the material in the lower portion 120 ofthe body 110 (e.g., the insert 126) and the composition 132 in the upperportion 130 of the body 110, the dispenser 100 may have a singleposition in which it tends to achieve stable mechanical equilibrium.This position may be when the lowermost point 122 sits on asubstantially horizontal surface, such as the ground or a counter top,and the central longitudinal axis 112 is perpendicular to thesubstantially horizontal surface (i.e., when the dispenser 100 isupright). When the dispenser 100 is tilted such that the centrallongitudinal axis 112 is not perpendicular to the substantiallyhorizontal surface, the dispenser 100 may then wobble or rock back andforth under the effects of gravity until the central longitudinal axis112 is once again perpendicular to the ground, and the dispenser 100returns to its upright position. Thus, the dispenser 100 may function ina similar manner to roly-poly toys, round-bottomed dolls, tilting dolls,tumblers, or the like.

A surface area of the body 110 (e.g., the lower portion 120) that is incontact with the substantially horizontal surface, when the dispenser100 is upright and/or when the dispenser 100 is wobbling/rocking, may beless than or equal to about 1 cm², less than or equal to about 0.5 cm²,or less than or equal to about 0.25 cm². The surface area of the body110 (e.g., the lower portion 120) that is in contact with thesubstantially horizontal surface, when the dispenser 100 is uprightand/or when the dispenser 100 is wobbling/rocking may be less than orequal to about 2.5% of total a surface area of the entire body 110.

An inner surface of the upper portion 130 of the body 110 that definesthe internal volume may include a coating 134 (see FIG. 2). Acoefficient of friction between the composition 132 and the coating 134may be less than a coefficient of friction between the composition 132and an inner surface of the body 110. As a result, the coating 134 mayprevent the composition 132 from sticking to the inner surface of thebody 110, thereby allowing the composition 132 to slide or slosh orotherwise move around within the internal volume of the body 110 whenthe dispenser 100 is wobbling or rocking back and forth. In at least oneembodiment, the coating 134 may be or include a liquid-impregnatedsurface, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,940,361. For example, thecoating 134 may include a matrix of solid features spaced sufficientlyclose to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin. In atleast one embodiment, the coating 134 may be or include LiquiGlide®manufactured by LiquiGlide Inc. of Cambridge, Mass.

In operation, a user may grab the dispenser 110 and open the lid 150.The user may then rotate the dispenser 100 such that the composition 132flows out of the dispenser 100 (e.g., through the opening 156 in the lid150) due to gravity. In another embodiment, the user may squeeze thebody 110 of the dispenser 100 to cause the composition 132 to flow outof the dispenser 110 through the opening 156 in the lid 150. The usermay then close the lid 150 and set the dispenser 100 down on ahorizontal surface such that the central longitudinal axis 112 isslightly offset from perpendicular to the horizontal surface, and thedispenser 100 will wobble gently to a still and upright position. Inanother scenario, the user may throw or toss or severely tilt thedispenser 100, rather than setting the dispenser 100 down as describedabove, and the dispenser 100 may wobble or rock back and forthvigorously before returning to its upright position.

Due to its ability to return to its upright position, the user need notworry about inadvertently knocking into or tipping over the dispenser100 over while reaching for other bathroom products. In addition, thewobbling or rocking of the dispenser 100 may serve to mix thecomposition 132 within the internal volume of the body 110 to help thecomposition remain substantially uniform over time, rather thanpotentially separating into a higher density portion and a lower densityportion. Furthermore, the wobbling/rocking of the dispenser 100 mayamuse, entertain, or appeal to young children, which may encourage themto use the composition 132 (e.g., brush their teeth).

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a perspective view and a cross-sectional side view,respectively, of another dispenser 500, according to an embodiment. Thedispenser 500 may include a body 510. The body 510 may be made of apolymer or elastomer. For example, the body 510 may be made of ablow-molded polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”). The body 510 may definean internal volume. A dentifrice (or other) composition 532 may bestored in the internal volume.

The body 510 may include a lower portion 520 and an upper portion 530. Acentral longitudinal axis 512 through the body 510 may intersect thelower portion 520 at a lowermost point 522. A width 524 of the lowerportion 520 may increase proceeding upward from the lowermost point 522to a widest portion 528, which is positioned between the upper and lowerportions 520, 530. Thus, the lower portion 510 may be substantiallyconical or frustoconical in shape. The width 524 of the upper portion530 may then decrease proceeding upward from the widest portion 528.Thus, the upper portion 530 may also be substantially conical orfrustoconical in shape, with a truncated apex. When a cross-section istaken through the body 510 in a plane that is perpendicular to thecentral longitudinal axis 512, the cross-sectional shape of the body 510may be substantially circular at any height along the centrallongitudinal axis 512.

In at least one embodiment, the lower portion 520 may include an insert526 coupled thereto, and the insert 526 may include the lowermost point522. The insert 526 may screw onto or snap onto the lower portion 520 ofthe body 510. The insert 526 may be made of a different (e.g., harderand/or more dense) material than the remainder of the body 510. Inaddition, the insert 526 may be injection molded, as opposed toblow-molded, to make the insert 526 more rigid and durable than theremainder of the body 510.

The upper portion 530 of the body 510 may define an opening (shown inFIG. 6) through which the composition 532 may be introduced into theinternal volume of the body 510 or be dispensed from the internal volumeof the body 510. A lid 550 may be coupled to the upper portion 530proximate to the opening. In one embodiment, the outer surface of theupper portion 530 proximate to the opening may have a plurality ofthreads formed thereon that may engage a corresponding plurality ofthreads on the inner surface of the lid 550. In another embodiment, theouter surface of the upper portion 530 proximate to the opening may haveone or more protrusions that be configured to be received within one ormore corresponding recesses on the inner surface of the lid 550. In thisembodiment, the lid 550 may “snap onto” the upper portion 530 when thelid 550 is subjected to a predetermined downward force.

The lid 550 may include a base 552 and a cap 554. The base 552 may becoupled to the upper portion 530 of the body 510. The base 552 may havean opening (e.g., a nozzle) formed therethrough. The centrallongitudinal axis 512 may extend through the opening, or the opening maybe offset from the central longitudinal axis 512.

The cap 554 may be coupled to the base 552 by one or more hinges (notshown). The cap 554 may prevent the composition 532 from flowing throughthe opening when the cap 554 is in the closed position, as shown. Thecap 554 may pivot or rotate about the hinge(s) into an open position toallow the composition 532 to flow through the opening, for example, intoa user's mouth or onto a user's toothbrush.

In operation, a user may grab the dispenser 510 and open the lid 550.The user may then rotate the dispenser 500 such that the composition 532flows out of the dispenser 500 (e.g., through the opening in the lid550) due to gravity. In another embodiment, the user may squeeze thebody 510 of the dispenser 500 to cause the composition 532 to flow outof the dispenser 510 through the opening in the lid 550. The user maythen close the lid 550 and set the dispenser 500 down. When set at reston a substantially horizontal surface, such as a counter top, thedispenser 500 will tend to sit on the lowermost point 522 and a point onthe edge of the widest portion 528, such that the central longitudinalaxis 512 is at an angle other than perpendicular to the substantiallyhorizontal surface.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the dispenser 500 spinning aboutthe central longitudinal axis 512, according to an embodiment. In someembodiments, the user may apply a rotational force to the upper portion530 of the body 510. For example, the user may place the upper portion530 of the body 510 between two fingers (e.g., the thumb and middlefinger), and then move those two fingers rapidly with respect to oneanother (e.g., a snap-like motion), to cause the body 510 to rotateabout the central longitudinal axis 512. When the body 510 is rotating,as shown in FIG. 7, only the lowermost point 512 may be in contact with(e.g., sit upon) the horizontal surface. When rotation slows, and thebody 510 eventually comes back to rest (i.e., is stationary), thelowermost point 522 and a point or small part of the widest portion 528may be in contact with the horizontal surface, similar to the positionillustrated in FIG. 5. Thus, the dispenser 500 may be able to functionlike a “spinning top.”

The spinning of the dispenser 500 may serve to mix the composition 532within the internal volume of the body 510 to help the compositionremain substantially uniform over time, rather than potentiallyseparating into a higher density portion and a lower density portion. Insome embodiments, this may make the composition 532 easier to dispense(e.g., onto a toothbrush) than before the spinning. Furthermore, thespinning of the dispenser 500 may amuse, entertain, or appeal to youngchildren, which may encourage them to use the composition 532 (e.g.,brush their teeth).

A surface area of the body 510 that is in contact with the ground, whenthe dispenser 500 is stationary (FIG. 5) and/or when the dispenser 500is spinning (FIG. 7), may be less than or equal to about 0.5 cm², lessthan or equal to about 0.25 cm², or less than or equal to about 0.1 cm².The surface area of the body 510 that is in contact with the ground,when the dispenser 500 is stationary and/or when the dispenser 500 isspinning may be less than or equal to about 2% of a surface area of aplane that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 512 at thewidest portion 528 of the body 510.

An inner surface of the body 510 (e.g., the lower portion 520 and/or theupper portion 530) that defines the internal volume may have a coating534 disposed thereon (see FIG. 6). A coefficient of friction between thecomposition 532 and the coating 534 may be less than a coefficient offriction between the composition 532 and an inner surface of the body510. As a result, the coating 534 may allow the composition 532 to slideor slosh or otherwise move around within the internal volume of the body510 when the dispenser 500 is spinning. In at least one embodiment, thecoating 534 may be or include LiquiGlide®.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of a method 800 for manufacturing a dispenser100, 500, according to an embodiment. The method 800 may include forminga body 110, 510 having an internal volume, as at 802. Forming the body110, 510 may include blow-molding a polymer and may include forming twoparts or portions of the body, such as an upper portion 130, 530 and alower portion 120, 520. The method 800 may also include forming aninsert 126, 526, as at 804. The insert 126, 526 may have a width 124,524 that increases proceeding away from a lowermost point 122, 522.Forming the insert 126, 526 may include injection-molding a polymer. Theinsert 126, 526 may be made from a different material than the body 110,510. The method 800 may also include coupling the insert 126, 526 to alower portion of the body 110, 510, as at 806. The method 800 may alsoinclude introducing a composition into the internal volume of the body110, 510, as at 808.

1. A dispenser, comprising: a body comprising: a lower portion that is substantially dome-shaped, wherein the lower portion of the body has a first density the body being configured so that, in response to being tilted, the body rocks back and forth until the body returns to an upright state; an upper portion that defines an internal volume, wherein the internal volume is configured to receive a composition that has a second density that is less than the first density; a neck that extends upward from the upper portion, the neck having a concave contour; and a lid coupled to the upper portion of the body, wherein the lid id formed with a convex contour.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a dentifrice composition.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein an area of an outer surface of the lower portion of the body, that is in contact with a surface on which the body sits, is less than or equal to 1 cm².
 4. (canceled)
 5. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a coating on an inner surface of the upper portion of the body, wherein a coefficient of friction between the composition and the coating is less than a coefficient of friction between the composition and the inner surface of the upper portion of the body.
 6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the body comprises an insert that is coupled to the body.
 7. (canceled)
 8. A dispenser, comprising: a body comprising: a lower portion that is substantially conical with a cross-sectional width that increases proceeding away from a lowermost point; and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion, the upper portion, or both define an internal volume that is configured to receive a composition through an opening in the body.
 9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the composition comprises a dentifrice composition.
 10. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the upper portion of the body is substantially conical with a cross-sectional width that decreases proceeding away from the lowermost point.
 11. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the body is configured to spin about a central longitudinal axis through the body, and wherein the lowermost point is the only point on the body that contacts a surface on which the body sits when the body is spinning.
 12. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a coating on an inner surface of the body, wherein a coefficient of friction between the composition and the coating is less than a coefficient of friction between the composition and the inner surface of the body.
 13. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the body comprises a widest portion between the lower and upper portions, and wherein the lowermost point and the widest portion contact the surface on which the body sits when the body is not spinning.
 14. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the lower portion comprises an insert that is coupled thereto, wherein the insert comprises the lowermost point.
 15. A method for manufacturing a dispenser, comprising: forming a body having an internal volume; forming an insert having a width that increases proceeding away from a lowermost point; coupling the insert to a lower portion of the body; and introducing a composition into the internal volume of the body.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the body comprises blow-molding a first polymer.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein forming the insert comprises injection-molding a second polymer.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the insert is made of a different material than the body.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the insert is substantially dome-shaped and has a first density, and wherein the body, the composition, or both has a second density that is less than the first density.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the insert is substantially conical. 